By Celestine Avi
President John Dramani Mahama has called for urgent reforms within the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to curb the alarming rise in fire outbreaks across the country. Addressing newly appointed security heads, he highlighted the devastating impact of fire incidents on lives, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
He revealed that Ghana recorded 6,436 fire incidents last year, leading to loss of property, livelihoods, and, in some tragic cases, lives. The President stressed the need for a well-equipped, proactive, and responsive fire service to mitigate these disasters and ensure public safety.
Charging the new Chief Fire Officer, President Mahama outlined key priorities, including intensified public education on fire prevention, enhanced emergency response readiness, and strict enforcement of fire safety regulations. He emphasized that fire audits must be effective, and safety laws enforced without compromise to prevent avoidable tragedies.
The President assured the GNFS of full government support, pledging resources to modernize firefighting infrastructure and improve officer welfare. He reaffirmed that, as indicated in the 2025 budget, all essential projects to strengthen the fire service will be completed.
President Mahama urged the new leadership to take decisive action, ensuring that the Ghana National Fire Service meets the demands of a rapidly growing and urbanizing nation.
